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Altaira
Superuser
Jul 3, 7:26pm
Post #1 of 7
(417 views)
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---> FORUM MIGRATION UPDATE ----> Mid-July
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We're finally getting close to migrating the forums to the Xenforo platform. If this is news to you, or you need a refresher, check out my original announcement here on Main.
I'm currently busy configuring and testing the new boards. They're light years more advanced than these good old Gossamer forums, so there's *lots* to do. But, I think everyone will be pleased and excited with all the new functionality. The one big difference is there is no 'threaded' mode. But, there's a very robust quote function that I think will make up for it.
Right now, I'm thinking between July 15 and 18 for the final migration (this is dependent on more people than just me, thus the date range) The forums will be unavailable for a day or two, then when you come here you'll see the new format. Everyone will need to log in again and create new passwords, as passwords will not migrate.
I feel I'm now familiar enough with Xenforo to answer any questions you might have. In the meantime, a (long) while back, we had a 'wish list' thread on Feedback about new forum features. Your suggestions/desires are below with a short answer for now.
Look for more updates as we get closer to mid-month.
Exciting!
1. Easy to set-up & maintain - this is mostly for me, but yes!
2. Preserve this forum's posts - yes. The entire 19 or so years of posting history in this Gossamer Forum format will migrate! Passwords will not, so they'll have to be reset. Some profile info will not (fields are different - i.e., no 'less filling, tastes great'}. Right now, avatars are not migrating, nor are footers/signature, so they will have to be added to your profile. This is all due to different fields and formatting. A few fonts and formatting in pre-migration posts may not transfer, so bear this in mind if going back to read old posts.
3. Access to the original RPG forum's posts - not yet. I'm still determined to get this done (or, rather get someone to do it). The person currently doing the migration may be an option.
4. As close as possible to the current forum 'feel' (traditional forum with sub-forums) - yes It looks a bit different in terms of colors, margins, etc., but the forums are the same and are organized the same way. We will, btw, be adding a new Hunt for Gollum movie forum too!
5. Ability to switch between threaded and flat type modes. No Newer, modern forums no longer offer threaded mode. There's an easy-to-use quote function that, once we all get used to it, will more than make up for it, I think. Bear in mind when going back to read old posts, it may not be easy to follow who is replying to whom. This won't be an issue as we use the new format more.
6. Ability to post bigger pictures & easier process to post them. yes. Limits for picture file size and size in pixels are about 3x what they are now. Pictures can be uploaded, dragged and dropped, and resized, right inside your post compose window.
7. Longer edit window for posts. yes. TBH, I haven't set this yet, but it will be longer (and I can be bribed  ). In other good news, posts you are still composing are saved in draft form every 10 seconds. Drafts will be available to come back and revisit for 24 hours, even if you are logged out.
8. Ability to post other media (music, videos). ish animated gifs and short videos will be possible. Other than those, due to copyright issues these days, it's safer for everyone and TORn to just link to music, youtube videos, and movie clips for now.
9. Retain the private message function. yes this is essentially the same, except they're called Direct Messages (DMs)
10. Retain email alerts for posts & private messages yes. also essentially the same
11. Ignore ability. yes includes the ability to either ignore, or follow, other users.
12. Ability to 'like' or 'thumbs down' posts. ish The parameters haven't been finalized for this. However, while a 'like' may be possible, any negative feedback will not.
13. Ability to delete and move sub-threads and leave the bulk of the discussion intact. Yes self-expanitory
14. Bring back the donate button TBD TORn has moved away from this, but the forums will incur some ongoing cost related to Xenforo. We'll see if donations would be appropriate at some future date.
(This post was edited by Altaira on Jul 3, 7:36pm)
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Ataahua
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Jul 3, 8:09pm
Post #2 of 7
(381 views)
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Love, love, love the greater ease of loading photos.
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I have never figured out how to post an image using TORN's tools. Now we can just drag and drop? Yay!
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Jul 4, 1:59pm
Post #3 of 7
(360 views)
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This has been a long-suffering challenge for you just waiting to get to this point! It will all fall into place precisely when it's meant to! You're a Wizard, fersher!
*Amaze! Amaze! Amaze!* :D
I love the flexibility of the picture loading and size *happy dance*
I love the "draft" option and added time for editing *spins in chair*
And I really encourage the "donate" button... especially if there will be charges for Xenforo. 
If it's ever possible to free those old trapped posts, that would definitely be a triumphant feat!
Thanks so much to you, Altaira, and everyone who has made all of this possible! *high five*
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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CuriousG
Half-elven
Jul 4, 4:29pm
Post #4 of 7
(356 views)
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Thanks for the update and all the hard work!!! //
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NottaSackville
Valinor
Jul 6, 3:15pm
Post #5 of 7
(324 views)
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What? No sniping login names on a first come first serve basis?
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All my plans are foiled. 
Seriously, I'm sure this has been an INCREDIBLE amount of work, and we are all indebted to you for doing it, Altaira (and everyone else involved). You all are simply amazing people.
And just a confirmation that I remain willing to help in whatever way I can with rejuvenating the original forum posts.
Happiness: money matters, but less than we think and not in the way that we think. Family is important and so are friends, while envy is toxic -- and so is excessive thinking. Beaches are optional. Trust is not. Neither is gratitude. - The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner as summarized by Lily Fairbairn. And a bit of the Hobbit reading thrown in never hurts. - NottaSackville
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N.E. Brigand
Half-elven
Wed, 4:06am
Post #6 of 7
(47 views)
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Thanks also for the update about the old RPG forum posts.
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I understand completely why that project had to take a back seat to this migration, but I very much appreciate hearing that it remains in the works! And if there's anything that people can do to assist with any of this, in effort or funding, do let us know.
Glory to the heroes.
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Discuss Tolkien's life and works in the Reading Room!
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How to find old Reading Room discussions.
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Altaira
Superuser
Wed, 5:10am
Post #7 of 7
(44 views)
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They haven't been forgotten in the least. However, the new cloud server environment will provide us with many more, and many better, options to explore.
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